Search Icon Search site

Search

Teen found fatally shot on Rittenhouse Street, NW

Police are investigating the death of Yoselis Regino Barrios.

Barrios, 16, was found by police on Nov. 7 at 8:15 p.m. suffering from multiple gunshot wounds near the 1300 block of Rittenhouse St., NW. Police located Barrios, along with an adult male suffering from non-fatal gunshot wounds. Barrios was found dead after all life-saving efforts failed.

No suspects have been identified.

Status hearing for suspect in 2010 Dawan Felder killing

A man convicted of a 2010 murder appeared in court regarding his appeal Wednesday.

Darnell Leon Hawkins was convicted of first-degree murder while armed for the killing of Dawan Anthony Felder. Hawkins was sentenced to 40 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

On May 16, 2010, police responded to the 5000 block of D St., SE to the report of gunshots. Upon arrival, police located Felder, 28, lying on the sidewalk suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, and with no signs consistent with life.

An appeal was filed by Hawkins’ attorney, arguing obstruction of justice. The case was re-opened in 2015, but the original attorney representing Hawkins was dismissed. Hawkins is now being represented by Attorney Nicola Zahara.

A status hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 28, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.

Sean Paul Hurd continues to await trial


Sean Paul Hurd, the man who allegedly killed Antonio Lee Bryant awaits trial, as his case moved forward in a hearing on Tuesday.

Hurd is charged with first-degree murder while armed for allegedly killing Antonio Lee Bryant on June 17, 2015. Bryant was found with gunshot wounds in the 3300 block of D Street, SE.

According to a report from The Washington Post, Hurd was wearing a GPS ankle bracelet during the time and was being monitored by the authorities as part of his release from a previous attempted robbery conviction. With the bracelet, police were able to place Hurd at the scene during the shooting.

In a hearing on Tuesday, both the defense and prosecution declared that there will be no further DNA testing. The defense also raised a motion to suppress the prosecution from using a GPS tracking file and has taken the case to the court of appeals. Judge Puig-Lugo insisted in court that he had no authority over that matter.

Hurd is set for a status hearing in December, and is currently set for trial on Jan. 22, 2018.

Matthew Moore pleads not guilty to the murder of Ronnell Reaves

At his arraignment on Friday, Matthew Moore pleaded not guilty for the killing of 22-year-old Ronnell Reaves in January.

Moore, 32, is charged with first-degree murder for a double shooting that left Ronnell Reaves dead and another male in critical condition.

On Jan. 17, police found Reaves’ body inside a car in front of 640 14th Place, NE. According to charging documents, Moore told police that Reaves threatened to kill him if he didn’t assist Reaves in a robbery. Moore explained that he fired the gun as a result of their struggle and argued that it was self defense. However, surveillance footage at the time of the murder did not show a struggle before or during the murder. Eyewitnesses at the scene were able to identify Moore as the shooter.

Moore was arraigned in court on Friday, and is being held without bond. During his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty to the charge and is scheduled for a status hearing in January.

Trial set for the murder of Ernest Massenberg-Bey Jr.

John James is currently set for to go to trial next November for the alleged murder of Ernest Massenberg-Bey Jr. in 2016.

According to police, two victims were found with gunshot wounds on Sept. 28, 2015. Both victims were taken to the hospital where one the victims, later identified as Massenberg-Bey Jr., died.

James was initially charged with second-degree murder while armed and assault with intent to kill for Massenberg-Bey’s death.

James was indicted and arraigned in court in January 2017, after he was deemed competent by both prosecution and defense.

He is currently being held without bond and his charge has been upgraded to first-degree murder while armed. After several changes in counsel, James is scheduled for a status hearing in January 2018. His trial is set to begin on Nov. 13, 2018.

David Jones pleads not guilty to Carolyn Ellis killing

David Jones pleaded not guilty to second degree murder in the killing of Carolyn Ellis, while allegedly driving under the influence.

Jones, 36, has been undergoing drug and alcohol treatment while the case against him continues. Jones has three prior felony convictions, and if convicted for the second-degree murder and reckless driving charges, he will be eligible for up to 30 years in prison.

On Feb. 6, Ellis, 65, and another pedestrian were crossing the street when a black car sped around the corner and struck Ellis.

Ellis was found unconscious, and transported to a nearby hospital where she died due to major head trauma. Officers later located a visibly intoxicated Jones stumbling around 14th street.

A status hearing was scheduled for Dec. 12 at 9:30 am.

Man pleads guilty to killing Herbert Dowtin in broad daylight

Malik Hough pled guilty on Friday to second-degree murder while armed for the murder of 22-year-old Herbert Dowtin.

He will be sentenced in January 2018.

Police found Dowtin in the 800 block of Xenia St. SE, with multiple gunshot wounds in December 2016. He was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries. Malik Hough was arrested and charged for his murder in early January.

According to the prosecution’s evidence, Hough had been arrested in November 2016 for a drug charge and a possession of firearm charge. After Hough admitted his possession and distribution of cocaine and his possession of a 9mm firearm, he was released by the court on Nov. 23, 2016, with a GPS tracking ankle bracelet. He was also released on the conditions that he not possess any firearms.

Roughly one month later, Dowtin had been walking at approximately 1:20 p.m. when Hough walked up behind him and fired 10 shots at him, hitting him eight times. His firearm was later recovered and was matched to the casing found at the scene. DNA testing on the firearm revealed that Hough was one of the people whose DNA was on the firearm.

Hough pled guilty in the Superior Court on Friday as part of a plea agreement. During his plea, Hough acknowledged that he was not acting in self defense when he shot Dowtin. According to the agreement, he will have an agreed-upon sentence between 17-29 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release.

Judge Judith Bartnoff scheduled his sentencing for Jan. 3, 2018.

Judge finds probable cause to hold Robert Moses for the murder of Jamahri Sydnor

In a hearing Monday, Judge Puig-Lugo ruled enough probable cause exists to hold Robert Moses for allegedly taking part in the unintended killing of Jamahri Sydnor.

According to news reports, 17-year-old Jamahri Sydnor was driving through the Brentwood neighborhood on Aug. 10, when she was shot. Another adult male, who survived, was also found unconscious in the area with gunshot wounds. Sydnor was originally taken to the hospital in critical condition and died in the hospital two days later. Police arrested Phillip Carlos McDaniel for the murder, but had reasons to believe that others were involved.

On Oct. 27, 18-year-old Robert Moses was arrested and charged with first-degree-murder while armed. In Monday’s hearing prosecution asked that Judge Puig-Lugo find probable cause in his case due to evidence given by one of the witnesses and a picture of him with a gun. According to a witness, Moses had been involved in the shooting with two others and had shot nine rounds to the point where his gun was jammed. He then hid his gun under his seat and drove away with others that were involved.

Homicide detective Phillip McHugh testified in court that the same bullets found at the scene belonged to the type of gun found under the seat. The detective also said that the evidence found at the scene matched the story that the same witness had told the police. Other evidence included a picture of Moses holding a gun that was found in a Youtube video of him a few weeks after Moses was released from a misdemeanor case in July. Police believe that the shooting occurred because a member from a rival neighborhood had shot at Moses and the others earlier in August after a fight.

Moses’ attorney argued not enough probable cause existed, and asked he be released under supervision. Moses’ lawyer said that only one witness had substantial proof that Moses was directly involved, and the gun found under his seat was not the one responsible for the bullet that killed Sydnor.

After taking a brief intermission, Judge Puig-Lugo decided that he found probable cause that Moses should be held for the charges. According to the judge, the picture of Moses with the gun and the statements given by the witnesses were substantial evidence for his being held.

Robert Moses is currently being held without bail and is expected back in court for a felony status conference on Dec. 12.

Suspect identified in killing of Mawuli Kocuvie

Police charged Samuel Davis, 59, with first-degree murder for the death of a Mawuli Kocuvie, 53.

At 10:04 p.m. on Oct. 28, police arrived at the 1700 block of Benning Rd., NE, where they found Kocuvie’s body inside of a residence.

An autopsy conducted on Oct. 29 determined the cause of death was asphyxiation.

A hearing is scheduled for Nov. 14 at 9:30 a.m.